Creative Corner

Oh my goodness, that is perfect. Tbh, you could sell adopts of that pose and make serious bank. I'd buy some.

@AcadiAnne I'll admit, I was kinda tempted lol. Been a long time since I've made adopts~. I'm still learning how to use Krita, though, and unfortunately, the layers are admittedly abysmal and would need completely redone for adopts =w=;. Idk, maybe I'll redo it in the future!

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/wUTLwJa.png[/img] [font=times new roman][size=5]Chapter 80[/size][/font][/center] [center][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/90160716][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/901608/90160716.png[/img][/url][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/87253797][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/872538/87253797.png[/img][/url][/center] [i]‘I’m sorry to have come at such a bad time…’[/i] Gwilym was saying. Irani was grateful that she already seemed to know sign, but her dialect was strange. He and his siblings signed quite fast with their own shorthand, but she used something different. It wasn’t too bad of a barrier, however, and they could at least hold conversations. She was very curious about the Library, but the deaths that occurred when she arrived seemed to be weighing on her mind. [i]‘When the Officials were talking about it, it just seemed like they were scared of ghosts…’[/i] [i]‘I still can’t believe they ran all the way to the Starwood Strand,’[/i] Irani commented sardonically. He’d hunted down some maps to get a picture of how far the Arcanist’s territory was, and it really didn’t surprise him. Gwilym shrugged. [i]‘To be fair, the Tourmaline Archives and the Library of Stars have a long history of affiliation. Though, we haven’t really been in contact since the Bounty of the Elements… and the whole deal with the Aether space station and whatnot, I suppose we’ve been distracted.’ ‘Having an Emperor awakening under our feet has kept us pretty distracted too,’[/i] Irani scoffed. He meant it as a joke, but Gwilym winced. [i]‘I can’t even imagine… or. I guess I can now. You’re so brave – you don’t even sound scared of it.’[/i] Irani blinked. [i]‘… I guess I hadn’t really thought about it for a while,’[/i] he confessed after a moment of thought. ‘It’s just… always been there that I’ve known.’ After a beat, he added, [i]‘You know, you don’t have to stay here if you don’t want. You made it in, you can make it out.’[/i] [i]‘Well, I have to fix these first.’[/i] She motioned to the mechanized wing supports she wore. She had explained to him that she’d never been a strong flyer, and these had been constructed for her as aids. She had made some adjustments to them so that she could get over the Hewn City quickly in one big leap, which had… worked. Her wings have had to stay folded at her side since, though, as the mechanism was damaged in the process. [i]‘But, it’s not like I’M scared or anything. I did come here by choice, you know. I’m not just going to leave.’[/i] [i]‘Alright, fine,’[/i] Irani said, holding his claws up placatingly. [i]‘Just – it’s not for everyone.’[/i] She nodded at that, becoming thoughtful. After a minute or so, she asked, [i]‘Are you really going down there to fight that thing?’[/i] Irani mulled this over a beat and shrugged. [i]‘Whenever the others are ready, yeah. Someone has to kill it.’ ‘But why you?’[/i] He stared at her for a long moment. This wasn’t something he’d really questioned before. It took him longer to respond, but he eventually replied, [i]‘… My parents died to this nonsense. My brother too… and so many others. I don’t want to say it’s revenge – it’s not that – but… I don’t know. I don’t want to leave it so that it can hurt anyone else. Like I said, someone has to kill it. Right?’[/i] Gwilym nodded again, seeming satisfied with the answer. He found himself relieved that there wasn’t any judgement in her expression and she simply accepted his explanation. [i]‘I think that’s fair. You’re here to help others – it’s very noble.’[/i] He shifted and he could feel himself begin to flush. Hoping she hadn’t noticed, he glanced away and shrugged. [i]‘I suppose you can call it that.’[/i] Her claw went to her mouth and he thought he caught her giggling out of the corner of his eye. She was still grinning when she moved out in front of him, signing, [i]‘Well, I do. Anyway, you said you were going to show me the ballroom. I’ve heard it’s marvelous! So which way?’[/i] He let out a light scoff, unable to suppress a grin of his own. He motioned with his head and pranced past her. [i]‘This way!’[/i] [center][img]https://66.media.tumblr.com/f7d654d2648aa8ce6a71cf869c9d61e4/tumblr_inline_o21bn2e4fq1r3lvtf_400.png[/img] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/88915787][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/889158/88915787.png[/img][/url][/center] Devara could feel the pull. Something was drawing her in toward the golden structure. She couldn’t really explain it. She had been scrounging about in the city for a few days now, trying to determine what her next move was. Honestly, she should leave. That would be the smart thing. But she couldn’t. Every time she began to creep back to the edge, a tug deep in her chest would compel her to turn around and remain. There was something powerful here. Something that wanted [i]her[/i]. She felt like she should be more afraid of this feeling. Maybe the logical part of her brain was, and yet, the fear was hardly more than a small anxiety. She was more afraid of that blasted barrier than she was of that power. Something about it was… thrilling. In any case, she realized that she would not be able to rest – or leave – until she was able to identify what it was. So here she was now, picking through the streets looking for a weakness in the defenses or a secret way in. And she found one. She wondered if it was an old watchtower. No, not quite that. An official structure of some sort, for sure, and the only reason she found the tunnel was because of the desolation of time – and a little help from following her friendly corpse cleaners. What would have been an innocuous wall in its basement had crumbled without the same support of its kin, revealing the dark passageway that led down and toward the Library. She wasn’t sure how far the barrier extended, but this could be a way to circumvent it. She pulled away the cracked stone until there was just enough space for her to squeeze past. She wriggled her way through without hesitation, eager now to head into the dark. So distracted was she, she didn’t notice the golden owl perched on the peak of the wall overhead. It observed her entry, then spread its wings and drifted away. Back to its master. ----- [center][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2801811/42#post_55737598][color=sienna]< [i]Previous[/i][/color][/url] [color=transparent]____________[emoji=glimmer tile size=1]_______________[/color] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2801811/43#post_55821210][color=sienna][i]Next[/i] >[/color][/url] ----- @pinglist-2026 [item=grey basalt] Oooh, guys. I've got to really catch up on these items and get the story where I need it because it's happened. I got this familiar today from Pinkerton: [item=dainty wavehopper] And wouldn't you know it... [i]I rolled an Emperor head[/i]. [size=4][b]The Emperor now has 10 heads.[/b][/size] Right now, that head is a hatchling, which means the Endgame rules are not in effect just yet. I am giving myself until it grows up to adulthood to tie up any loose threads, and... and we're in the finale, y'all. I'll post an update to the ruleset once that Emperor head is grown, so stay tuned! [size=2]I'm scared guys.[/size] ----- Breed Change x5, Apparel x3 ----- [img]https://i.imgur.com/wrp9ClQ.png[/img][/center]

OH NO TEN HEADS! I am so afeared

!!!

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/wUTLwJa.png[/img] [font=times new roman][size=5]Chapter 81[/size][/font][/center] [center][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/88033251][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/880333/88033251.png[/img][/url] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/88128288][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/881283/88128288.png[/img][/url][/center] Xey were certainly strange. Ampoule was a constructed form much like FALSE, but xer processes seemed almost hopelessly erratic. Whatever had broken them free from their original programming seemed to have resulted in a series of glitches. However, FALSE had to admit that xer hypervigilance and xer impulsive actions were what was keeping them alive in this place. Xey weren’t afraid of it all like FALSE was – and not because xey could not feel. Truly, it seemed their emotional state changed by the moment. One second xey will be joyful and playful, and the next snarling and bitter with anger. It was a little hard for FALSE to keep up. It didn’t feel dangerous though, like it had with Loughrey. Ampoule seemed actually conscious of keeping xer outbursts away from FALSE, staying close only to converse or for protection. Today, it seemed the Nocturne wanted to converse. Xey swept in while FALSE was charging and came to land on the ground next to the tribeam housing, clicking and trilling in the way that FALSE had come to interpret as thoughtful. “We have to go inside,” xey said abruptly. A vestige of both of their origins was to ignore the polite formalities of organics. “C-c-c-can you sense it?” [font=courier new]“DEFINE: ‘IT’,”[/font] FALSE queried. Ampoule trilled and hummed again. “How t-t-to describe… the anomaly. Your scanners cannot read it?” FALSE turned toward the grand building in the center of the desolate city. It had run plenty of scans for Loughrey before, and the results had been the same; there was a strange, staticky interference that obscured much of the structure underground. [font=courier new]“NEGATIVE,”[/font] it answered at length. Ampoule simply nodded. “St-st-strange, no? I want to see what it is!” FALSE shifted and Amouple glanced at it, so it said, [font=courier new]“DANGER PROBABILITY: HIGH. LIKLIHOOD OF SURVIVAL: UNKNOWN.”[/font] “I know,” the Nocturne said playfully. Then suddenly xey became serious and asked, “Do you not-t-t have a friend inside?” FALSE thought about this for a long time. True; Penelope, Mabli, and Dharah had all left for the Library already. Mabli’s signature had not registered for some time, and Penelope also seemed to be missing. It had been able to detect Dharah recently. Still, “friends” was something FALSE wasn’t sure about yet. [font=courier new]“… CURRENT STATUS WITH ORGANIC ENTITY: DHARAH UNKNOWN. ORGANIC ENTITIES: PENELOPE, MABLI; NOT DETECTED. CURRENT STATUS WITH ORGANIC ENTITIES IN DESTINATION: LIBRARY OF STARS… UNKNOWN.”[/font] Ampoule hummed again. “Do you think they would not be… f-f-friends?” Another couple minutes of thought. [font=courier new]“ANALYSING DATA: ORGANIC ENTITY: PENELOPE CONTACT WITH LIBRARY ENTITIES CONFIRMED. ORGANIC ENTITY: PENELOPE RETURN TO ORGANIC ENTITY: LOUGHREY COMMAND FAILED. CONCLUSION: ORGANIC ENTITY: PENELOPE MORE COMPATIBLE WITH LIBRARY ENTITIES THAN ORGANIC ENTITY: LOUGHREY.”[/font] “True,” Ampoule agreed. Xey clicked and trilled again, saying, “Drop classification for name.” When FALSE looked at xem quizzically, xey expounded, “Classifications aren’t-t-t-t necessary. The organics prefer just their designation: name. Lik-k-ke FALSE. Like Ampoule!” Xey bobbed xer head in a way that FALSE understood as happiness. “I also like ‘name’.” FALSE mulled this over a moment, sifting through the programming. [font=courier new]“… CLASSIFICATION < (DESIGNATION = NAME)?”[/font] Ampoule bobbed xer head more enthusiastically. “Yes! Y-y-yes! You see? FALSE! Ampoule! Penelope!” FALSE let this sink in, letting the new coding meld. It was looser than its natural programming would allow, but considering its abnormalities, the code was accepted without too much fuss. [font=courier new]“… OBJECTIVE: FIND… DHARAH.”[/font] Ampoule trilled again and spread xer wings, leaping up and using the scythe-claws xey had to latch onto a nearby building. “Let’s go! To the Library of St-st-stars!” [center][img]https://66.media.tumblr.com/f7d654d2648aa8ce6a71cf869c9d61e4/tumblr_inline_o21bn2e4fq1r3lvtf_400.png[/img] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/89117940][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/891180/89117940.png[/img][/url] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/87253796][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/872538/87253796.png[/img][/url] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/87253798][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/872538/87253798.png[/img][/url][/center] Kir grunted with the effort as the energy surged from her claws into the gauntlets in front of her. She likely didn’t even know she was making sound, but the effort to control the flow but a clear physical strain on her body. Chrysalis had been helping her for some time to try and find a solution – at least until she could better control the buildup of magical forces inside of her. The table was charred and soot dusted much of the surfaces in the workroom from many, many failed attempts at enchantment. Chrysalis stood ready with her own magic prepared to create a barrier around the metal and crystal artifact between them in hopes to minimize whatever damage might occur. This was looking promising, though. They had found these crystal gauntlet things discarded under some rubbish in the Underground archives. Even dormant as they were, their craftsmanship was immaculate and hardy. They seemed like they were specifically made to whole a massive amount of magical energy, which of course was exactly what Kir needed. Something that could, in theory, hold her chaotic energy at bay enough to let her learn to control it. Still, caution was necessary. These items were ancient and their capacity was uncertain. A high-pitched keening had slowly filled the room and increased in volume until Chrysalis was sure she’d be as deaf as her aunt. The gauntlets were glowing in response to the magical influence, but there was also some strange illusory effect that obscured them from further scrutiny than a mere glance. It was making it difficult for the young Pearlcatcher to keep an eye on them and she worried a moment when she saw a sudden flash. Kir braced her claws against the table with a thump, panting from her exertion. The crystal claws shimmered for some moments more before the effect slowly faded. Once Chrysalis was able to get a good look at them, they hardly looked changed; except maybe the signs of centuries of wear were faded or gone. Kir eventually grinned and raised her claws in triumph, then picked the artifact up from the table to examine. [i]‘It worked! I finally have something I can focus my power through,’[/i] she said. Chrysalis raised her own claws in applause as Kir took the time to pull the artifact on. [center][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/dgen/dressing-room/dragon?did=87253796&skin=0&apparel=42693,23147,23149,23146,53354&xt=dressing.png[/img][/center] [i]‘Congratulations,’[/i] Chrysalis signed when Kir glanced up at her from admiring the claws. Kir’s glee softened to a gentle smile. [i]‘Thank you for your help. I’ve been looking for a solution to this for a long time – guess I just needed a second mind.’ [/i] [i]‘I think things are generally easier if you don’t have to do them alone,’[/i] Chrysalis commented. Kir raised her eyebrows, but nodded thoughtfully, looking back down at the gauntlets she now wore. Her head shot up and she frowned at something over Chrysalis’s shoulder fractions of a second before she heard a shuffling behind her. Turning, she saw her mother standing in the doorway. [i]‘Hey – can I speak to my daughter?’[/i] Her signing was calm enough, but there was something in her eyes that betrayed her distress. Chrysalis glanced back at Kir who merely shrugged. Eileen didn’t wait further response, leading the way back out into the hall. Chrysalis’s curiosity mounted as they walked and eventually Eileen came to a stop and turned to address her. [i]‘We’re leaving the Library,’[/i] she said abruptly. Chrysalis was shocked. Had she seen that right? When she didn’t immediately respond, her mother continued, [i]‘I’ve already talked to Nesrin and Zeki. They’re willing to lead us a safe way out of the city. Then… then we’ll head northwest. There should be clans up there, or we’ll reach the Tangled Wood-‘[/i] [i]‘Mom, wait,’[/i] Chrysalis interrupted, holding up her claws. [i]‘What do you mean ‘we’?’[/i] Eileen didn’t answer for a long time. She wouldn’t look at Chrysalis either, but when their eyes met, she took a heavy breath. [i]‘I’m taking Ilisa, and I want you and Kelsus to come along. This place is too dangerous. We can’t stay.’[/i] Chrysalis wasn’t entirely sure how to respond. She wouldn’t say she was angry, but she had an internally visceral reaction to the statement which, quiet frankly, she disagreed with. She had to take a moment to collect and organize her thoughts for a response, having to wave Eileen off once when she tried to signal her for a reaction. Finally, she took a long breath and raised her claws. [i]‘I’m sorry, but no. I don’t think it’s right to just leave this place. Especially if everyone else is staying. I’m not going to try and convince you to stay if you’ve already decided to go, but I will not be coming with you.’[/i] Eileen was clearly disappointed with this response. She threw her head to the side like she did when she was trying to reign in her temper. She stared at the floor for a few seconds and shook her head. [i]‘I’m not making this decision lightly, Chrysalis. But hasn’t our family lost enough? What are we fighting for anyway?’[/i] Sometimes Chrysalis forgot that others couldn’t read the shadows or here the whispers like she could. She had to think over her reply again for a few moments to put what she understood into words. [i]‘… Mom. This is bigger than just the Library. That’s what the previous denizens failed to understand. This Emperor here isn’t like Luminax. It won’t just stay here. It…’[/i] She hesitated. [i]‘… I know it sounds crazy… but the power this Emperor could wield with the Shade could be strong enough to… well. It could rival that of the Eleven.’[/i] She steadily met her mother’s justifiably incredulous gaze. A number of emotions flickered over her face in rapid succession, but it settled on fear. [i]‘What does that change?!’ ‘It does not have that power yet,’[/i] she explained as calmly as she may. [i]‘It needs eleven heads of its own for that. Which is why it needs to be destroyed before that happens. And if I understand this correctly… it has ten, because of one of the victims that died recently.’[/i] A look of realization crossed her mother’s features. [i]‘… Awhero. But how do you- how do you know all of this?’[/i] Chrysalis hesitated to answer for a long moment, but eventually she got up the courage to reply; [i]‘The Shadowbinder told me.’[/i] ----- [center][color=sienna]< [i]Previous[/i][/color] [color=transparent]____________[emoji=glimmer tile size=1]_______________[/color] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2801811/43#post_55844509][color=sienna][i]Next[/i] >[/color][/url] ----- @pinglist-2026 [item=sparrow skull] [item=redwing hopper] [item=peacock scorpion tail] Whoof, been trying to get these out, but holidays have me wrecked. Gonna be a couple long chapters like this coming up, I only have a couple days left to get through what I want before the final battle. Also, apparently Pinkerton panicked after giving me the last Emperor head, because I just got two apparel pulls in a row, so I guess we get a nest before the finale?! I'll let you all wonder who it is :d. Or you can snoop, I don't mind lol. Apparel items consumed for the nest: [item=supplicant tail sleeve] [item=dusk rogue mask] [item=constantan steampunk tail bauble] [item=raven woodwing] [item=ranger's quiver] Also, I'm scrapping the breed changes, 'cause I don't think it matters much anymore. Alright. Brain's fried. Time for bed. ----- [img]https://i.imgur.com/wrp9ClQ.png[/img][/center]

Gosh, I am so nervous for this finale, yikes. (Also, I did some snooping on the nest, how exciting!)

Rest up as much as you need!

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/wUTLwJa.png[/img] [font=times new roman][size=5]Chapter 82[/size][/font][/center] [center][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/89928109][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/899282/89928109.png[/img][/url][/center] Athosar settled himself in the middle of the chamber he had claimed as his own. He situated the single, blue-flamed candle before him, making sure to position it just right. It shouldn’t matter, really, but perhaps he was stalling. What he was about to do wasn’t dangerous, per se; he was just worried about the consequences. He might very well regret knowing. Pushing aside these thoughts, he took a breath. He raised a claw and with a swipe through the air, he extinguished the rest of the warm light in the room. The ghostly blue flame flickered before him, casting long, dancing shadows against the walls. He watched them a moment, then finally bowed his head to pray. “Shadowbinder… why did I come here? Why was I cursed?” His voice was barely a whisper, but it still sounded loud in the silence. The candleflame quivered at his breath and scattered the dark shapes about the walls. Movement out of the corner of his eye continually caught his attention, so he closed his eyes, listening closely. She would only speak to him if he made an effort to pay attention. [font=garamond][color=indigo]“… My dear.”[/color][/font] Athosar could have easily missed it, but he recognized the enveloping presence of his god. It wasn’t warm, but still a comforting embrace. [font=garamond][color=indigo]“My child, do you truly not remember?”[/color][/font] “No, Mother,” he answered her. “I’ve been trying, but… my mind is still clouded.” There was a crawling along his spine and the impression of a thoughtful hum. The shadows shifted, but not to his bidding this time. [font=garamond][color=indigo]“A remnant of my sister’s curse… She was not pleased when you found her secret. She should have known, though, that she could not keep it forever from me.”[/color][/font] “The Lightweaver cursed me?” Athosar echoed. There was surprise, but also relief. He had been afraid that he had upset the Shadowbinder herself. “So she hid me from you? To keep her secret?” Another thrum, with the sensation of a caress along his shoulders. [font=garamond][color=indigo]“To keep her secret, yes. But you were not hidden from me. I ensured you were safe, until the right time.”[/color][/font] Athosar paused at this. “… You… couldn’t break it? You couldn’t free me?” Here, a sense of sorrow washed over him. She was silent so long he was afraid she had left, but finally, she answered. [font=garamond][color=indigo]“I could have. However, you had a lesson to learn.”[/color][/font] The shadows began to shape before him, defying the light of the candle. Images began to appear – the Library, and him.[font=garamond][color=indigo] “When I sent you here, I wanted to know what my sister was hiding. You were devout, and thorough; her secrets could not be hidden from you. But when you discovered the terror below…”[/color][/font] The image shifted into many terrible, reached maws. The Emperor. [font=garamond][color=indigo]“… You decided to end it yourself. Without the help of the present denizens.”[/color][/font] The silhouettes folded back to the outside of the Library. [font=garamond][color=indigo]“You discovered a fail safe; one you were close to determining how to trigger. You knew that doing so would ensure the destruction of the Library – and also every soul that resided within.”[/color][/font] The shape of the Library collapsed and crumbled and his head began to fill with ghastly screams. Appalled, he shut his eyes and covered his ears, futile as it was. Eventually the screams subsided, but he remained crouched, quivering. Had he really been about to do that? End hundreds of lives just in the hopes the Emperor would be destroyed? [font=garamond][color=indigo]“My sister chose to intervene to stop you,”[/color][/font] the Shadowbinder continued to whisper to him. [font=garamond][color=indigo]“To keep them safe, but to also keep the secret. So, bound into a book you were; and yes, I let her.”[/color][/font] She sighed, the cold draft drifting about the room. [font=garamond][color=indigo]“My child, I confess myself disappointed in your lack of compassion. Even so, I did not give up hope. I was still with you, all those years, guiding you to this point. Hoping you would come to care for those that reside here. And you have.”[/color][/font] The embrace returned, cradling him to provide comfort. [font=garamond][color=indigo]“Now, you are ready. Now that you care, you have purpose, and strength. Stand beside these brave souls, and your purpose will be fulfilled.”[/color][/font] Athosar breathed in deep, straightened up as he solidified his resolve. “Yes, Mother. I will never fail you again.” The candle flickered and she chuckled softly, her presence beginning to fade. [font=garamond][color=indigo]“My dear; you never have.”[/color][/font] [center][img]https://66.media.tumblr.com/f7d654d2648aa8ce6a71cf869c9d61e4/tumblr_inline_o21bn2e4fq1r3lvtf_400.png[/img] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/90564098][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/905641/90564098.png[/img][/url] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/85581125][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/855812/85581125.png[/img][/url] [item=roughshod sniper] [item=longneck mender] [item=serthis alchemist][/center] Aletta felt strange. Her head swam with images and sounds and thoughts, the din so thick and loud it was overwhelming. When it quieted, she felt numb and confused. Then she felt… something. A dull ache about her entire body. She felt movement – her own. She became conscious of her limbs and shifted, feeling them brush by something soft. She tried to open her eyes and squinted against the sudden flood of light. She began to see shapes, but they didn’t make sense. Not for several minutes until she realized she was sideways. Lying down on some sort of bed. Now that her surroundings made a little more sense, she did her best to see detail. More beds. An infirmary? Strange. She was so sure she was… A low rumbling was coming nearby. It had been background noise at first, but she realized the cadence sounded oddly like voices. She craned her head around, trying to see the source. She was quickly distracted by a large blue form beyond the foot of her bed that was also stirring. A growl reverberated against her eardrums and some of the shapes resolved into spikes. They looked… familiar. Abruptly other shapes came flitting into view – something purple flying about and two other forms moving across the ground. One figure moved to her and focused into a longneck elder. She spoke and her speech was garbled a moment, but eventually she understood; “Can you understand me? Are you in any pain?” “… I-“ Aletta coughed, her throat dry as brittle parchment. The longneck reached to the nearby table and retrieved a cup for her, graciously filled with water. “I am Calliope,” she introduced herself as the centaur drank. “It is good to see you awake. Can you tell me your name?” “… Aletta,” she said at length once the cup was empty. Calliope took the cup from her and refilled it from the pitcher on the table. “… Is it done? Did we trap the monster?” Calliope’s face softened, but Aletta wasn’t able to read the expression as they were both distracted by a loud hiss. Across the way, the blue form was pushing itself up from its bed and looking around wildly. Aletta recognized Milintica. So she had also survived the battle? “Mili!” the purple dragon crowed, creating air currents as they fluttered about. “You’re awake! You’re awake! You’re alive!” Yes. Yes, Aletta recognized this dragon too. So did Milintica, who looked up clearly in their exhausted haze but clear enough to see the dragon above her. “Numinous? You were supposed to get out! What are you still doing down here?” The purple dragon froze mid-air, comically floating to come to rest on the marble floor with eyes wide as saucers. “What… what did you say?” they asked almost meekly. Aletta struggled to sit up, her legs stiff and hooves scrabbling awkwardly in the sheets. “Milintica, we’re not in the Prison Vault,” she rasped out. The Banescale whipped their head around to look at her, then at their surroundings and huffed. “Huh. We’re not.” “Mili!” Milintica rolled her eyes, but looked back at Numinous. “Yes?” “What did you call me? What is it?” Milintica blinked. “… Your name, Numi. Numinous. What is with you? This is hyper even for you.” “Numinous,” the Aether repeated. Their fur was beginning to fluff as their excitement visibly built up. “Numinous. Numinous! I am Numinous! Not Forgotten! Remembered! REMEMBERED!!” “WHAT are you ON about?!” Milintica roared, stopping him from potentially bouncing literally from the walls. They plopped down on the floor in front of her like an obedient puppy. “Oh- well. You wouldn’t know, yes? Were stone for a long, looong time. No more! But yes, how to explain…” “Stone?” Milintica repeated, their head drawing back in surprise. Glancing about, her gaze rested on the longneck and the Serthis who had been watching warily from off to the side. “… I don’t recognize you two.” “I imagine not,” Calliope said blandly, stepping toward her. “I am Calliope, and this is Dharah. I’m afraid you will not find many familiar faces here in the Library at present. I am willing to fill you in on the information you need, but it will take time. Rekorius? Could you please find Vayne for us?” They followed her gaze toward the entryway of the vast hospital wing where a purple Gaoler stood watching. He shifted minutely when they turned to look at him, his eyes lingering on Milintica. The Banescale stiffened and Aletta frowned. The truce the Banescales and Gaoler had for the moment was tenuous at best – if it existed at all anymore. This wasn’t going to be a problem, was it? However, the Gaoler bowed his head in response to Calliope and quietly turned and left. The peace would still be kept for now, it would seem. “Now; Forgot- My apologies. You said their name was...?” Milintica stared back at her quizzically, clearly trying to put the pieces together as Aletta was while the Aether exclaimed, “Numinous! Numinous, Numinous. Shall not forget this time! No! Numinous!” “Numinous – we need to check their injuries, make sure they have properly healed. In the meantime, if they have questions, might as well start now. Vayne can fill you in on what I cannot,” Calliope said, moving to Aletta. There was a moment of perplexed silence. Then Aletta asked, “… Who is Vayne?” “The current Radiant,” Calliope replied. “What?” Milintica interjected. Calliope held up a hand before she could question further. “Very well. I suppose that’s as good a place to start as any…” [center][img]https://66.media.tumblr.com/f7d654d2648aa8ce6a71cf869c9d61e4/tumblr_inline_o21bn2e4fq1r3lvtf_400.png[/img] [url=https://flightrising.com/main.php?dragon=54500356][img]https://flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/545004/54500356.png[/img][/url] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/91124842][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/coliseum/portraits/911249/91124842.png[/img][/url][/center] Vayne was sure the tea was long cold by this point – but it had really been more of a formality anyway. She was currently with Arethousa up in her chambers and her throat was going sore from having to recount everything that had happened since she had arrived at the Library of Stars. The Undertide listened quietly, watching her with an unwavering gaze. She hadn’t said a word throughout the entire tale and her expression remained unreadable as Vayne came to the end. The Imperial squirmed a bit in her seat once she was finished, picking up her teacup to cover the awkwardness as Arethousa seemed to think over all that was said. She was right. It was tastelessly cold. “I am sorry to hear about all you have suffered.” Arethousa’s voice almost caught Vayne off guard when it broke the silence between them. “I could feel the shift in the currents, but it seems even my vigilance was thwarted by this creature. I am… sorry to hear of Leucothea’s fate.” “I thought you had left before Leucothea’s time,” Vayne said. “I knew her name, murmured through the waves,” she answered. “Yours was new enough, it’d yet to reach me, of course. I have been listening and observing for many, many years in case the Emperor attempted to escape. I thought it… inevitable. I had thought, though, that the dragons of Light would have been more diligent or remembered their task here. Perhaps then, much of this pain could be avoided…” Vayne grimaced and looked down at her cup. She had thought much the same herself. Arethousa let out an odd warble that counted as a hum to her breed. “I am thankful for you, Vayne. That you would stand here and fight where others would not. There are few in this world that possess such strength and nobility.” The Imperial winced, letting out a long sigh. “… That’s kind of you, but I don’t think I can claim that,” she murmured. “I didn’t even want to be here… I had run away.” “And still, you returned, while the Officials have not,” Arethousa pointed out and Vayne blinked. Her expression was soft as she looked up at her and the end of her tail came to rest on Vayne’s wrist in a comforting gesture. “Pray, do not be so harsh to yourself. Your belief in yourself and your friends will mean the difference between victory and defeat in this fight. And you have more than enough reason to be confident. So believe.” Vayne nodded slowly, then took a deep breath and closed her eyes. It seemed so long ago now that she had been back in her birth clan, training and learning to be where she was. So long since she had run and met the Shadowbound, been tracked down by Rasmus and convinced to continue her journey to the Library. So long since she had lost Rasmus, and Lucetta, and so many others. So long since she had found ways to train herself and grow stronger, knowing inevitably where this would all end. And she understood. “… It’s time, isn’t it?” she asked Arethousa quietly. The Undertide nodded. “Yes. And you will not be alone.” The delicate pieces displayed in the glass cabinets around them began to chink and shudder as the room suddenly rumbled. The quake caused some of the books in Vayne’s nearby study and at least one teapot to come crashing to the floor. She thought she could hear the echo of a roar reverberate through the walls and a cold sense crawl up her spine. Just as quickly it quieted, leaving them to stare grimly at one another. “Its tether weakens,” Arethousa murmured. “This time, it must be destroyed.” ----- [center][color=sienna]< [i]Previous[/i][/color] [color=transparent]____________[emoji=glimmer tile size=1]_______________[/color] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2801811/44#post_55870848][color=sienna][i]Next[/i] >[/color][/url] ----- @pinglist-2026 [item=rambra horn] [item=silt sifter] Alright. This is officially the last chapter before the pain begins. Hope y'all are ready, 'cause I'm not :d. Will create a separate post detailing the adjusted rules for the Endgame. Stay tuned! ----- [img]https://i.imgur.com/wrp9ClQ.png[/img][/center]

Oh dear. I can’t help but feel this would end in a loss, given the Emperor only needs one head and Vayne needs four levels….

That but about Athosar being cursed by the Lightweaver is very interesting. And we finally learned Numinous’s name!

@Phanerozoic Oh no worries, technically that rule is null and now the denizens just have to outlive the Emperor heads to win. It won't be easy, but they should still have a fighting chance~ (I hope).
And yes, our friendly purple Aether finally has a name!